Photograph David Yip by Margaret Yip The 1980s and Thatcher years were not good for Barrow-in-Furness; it remains one of the North’s most deprived areas. Both miners and shipyard workers went on strike during this time. No social housing was being built to replace the rows of dilapidated terraced houses…
Category: Margaret Yip
Barrow-in-Furness
9. SEPARATION
David re-modeled the gardens. The house is beautiful, unrecognisable. A new beginning, photo Margaret Yip by MARGARET YIP It is 1984 – four of my children are in their teens. Suzanne is eighteen; Linda is 17. Suzanne is a receptionist at a local hotel. Linda is in college doing a…
Barrow-in-Furness
8. The Thatcher Years
Photograph, David Yip by Margaret Yip Thatcher came into power in 1979. In 1980, Martin’s friend opened a Chinese takeaway in Dalton-in-Furness. He asked Martin to join him and be the head chef. So Martin decides to leave his factory job, buys a cycle with a high interest loan, and…
Barrow-in-Furness
7. Langdale Grove
St Michael’s Church, Rampside, photo Rampside Church by Margaret Yip Martin came in late one Saturday night in early summer, 1977. Viv and I had sat up until nearly 1 a.m. to let him in through the lounge window of the hostel. “I’ve found a job in Bristol,” he said. As…
Barrow-in-Furness
6. From Hut to Hostel
by Margaret Yip We arrived at the hostel early Monday morning in 1977. I think it was late August or September. We were met by Mr. Parker, the warden. He lived on the premises with his wife. We all gathered in his office, surrounded by black bin bags containing our…
Barrow-in-Furness
5. THE BLACK HUTS
One of the Huts, photo Margaret Yip by Margaret Yip It is 1977, my children are eleven, ten, seven, six, and three. Elvis has died. His music has accompanied my life since the 50’s, especially his gospel records. My husband Martin arrives home from work at 2.30 pm one day…
Barrow-in-Furness
4. THE YIP FAMILY BOXING DAY
Margaret Yip in the 1970s by Margaret Yip It is 1974. Debts caught up with Martin up once again. We left Cardiff and returned to Barrow-in-Furness, where Martin found a job in a new paper factory. We rented one room in the centre of Barrow from the lady who owned…
Barrow-in-Furness
3. MARGARET & MARTIN
Martin Yip by Margaret Yip I met Martin in Whitehaven, where I worked for him. He was only 21. Martin had lots of energy. His restaurant was on three floors. The kitchen was in the basement. He could carry five or six plates in his left hand and on his arm…
1960s
2. ISOBAL ALONE
Photo of Isobal with her son, Joseph By Margaret Yip I left school in 1964 at the age of 15. It was a Friday. I needed a job. By Monday, I had an interview which took place in my home. The wife of a housemaster at a private boys’ school…
1950s
1. ISOBAL & HENRY
Picture of Isobel and Joseph by Margaret Yip I was born in the middle of Clement Attlee’s term as prime minister in 1949. I was the fourth child born to my parents. My mother, Isobal, had been in service before marriage, and my father, Henry, was a miner. After my…
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